Portfolio Review Tips

Posted on by AIGA Baltimore

Portfolio Review Tips

AIGA Baltimore’s portfolio review is on Thursday, December 1. So, the time has come. You’ve been going to school for several years, working hard on each and every project your professors have assigned, and now is your time to shine. You are about to be pushed into the job market or you are looking for your first internship. But guess what? The thought scares you to death. Here are some tips for for making your portfolio presentation outstanding.

  • Dress professionally. This means no low-cut tops, no torn clothing, and iron your clothes.
  • Arrive on time (better yet, arrive early) and come in smiling.
  • Introduce yourself. Tell the reviewer (or employer) your name and something interesting about yourself (what type of industry you want to go into, why you chose the field of design, etc.)
  • Make your portfolio well contained and organized. Don’t forget, that at job interviews, you may have your coat, a bag/purse, notepad and portfolio in your hands. Make sure you can carry everything and still be able to shake hands when meeting people.
  • Keep it clean! Smudges, hair, work off centered, and inconsistencies; these all just show you don’t pay attention to details.
  • Only plan to show the reviewer 7–10 pieces of your best work. Start and end with your strongest pieces.
  • Be ready to talk about your work. Tell a short story about each piece. Explain how you conceived of the idea, what research was conducted, who the target audience was, etc.
  • Use industry words. Avoid words like “my professor” and “the class.”
  • Don’t rush through it. Speak at a normal pace and give the reviewer time to comment on each piece.
  • Don’t get defensive if the reviewer criticizes your work. They are there to help you. You can filter through the comments later and decide what changes you should make.
  • Have your resume and business card ready to give the reviewer (or employer). Don’t wait for them to ask.
  • Ask the reviewer questions about their job. Take the opportunity to learn about what they do and how they got there.
  • Ask for the reviewer’s business card and followup with a thank you email or a snail mail thank you card.

Breathe, have fun and good luck! AIGA Baltimore’s portfolio review is on Thursday, December 1. Register now and save!

On the move!

Posted on by AIGA Baltimore

We're moving!

Over the last two years, some of you may have passed by our office space within Engine Performance on N. Charles Street. We’ve decided to move out and go sans office in the interest of cutting costs and putting those funds back toward programming for you.

Visit our website for ways to reach us, and thank you to our board for all of their hard work this weekend!

some board members on move out day
Sean Heavey, Wing Pokrywka, Alissa Jones

Show Baltimore why you love design!

Posted on by AIGA Baltimore

We know you love design, so now is your chance to show what you love about it to Baltimore! Check out D Center’s request for entries. They are looking for submissions for their upcoming exhibition, Network (Temporary Permanent Collection). They want a representation of what design means to you. This could be a project you worked on, an advertisement of your organization, a doodle on a napkin, a letter of support, or any kind of visual media or contribution that indicates your relationship to design.

To enter your submission, RSVP by 10/26, and include a brief description of the work (no more than 150 words) and deliver your work or arrange for it to be picked up before November 2.

D Center is located at 218 Saratoga Street storefront gallery, D Center @ MAP.

To RSVP or ask questions, contact marian.glebes@gmail.com or mkamoss@gmail.com.

You don’t know Jack: A conversation with Jack Anderson

Posted on by AIGA Baltimore

In a world where we are constantly bombarded with information, taking a look at everything from afar – it is often good to get up out of your comfortable setting and listen to others speak to their experiences and have an in-person conversation.  Last week, I had the privilege of attending ADG’s event: Branding With Jack Anderson, which was both motivational and inspiring.

Jack Anderson of Hornall Anderson is one who is inspired by the people at his office and strives to help create new environments giving people the ultimate human experience. He describes himself as a student, a designer, and a strategist – commenting on the fact that designers are not just part of the service department anymore, but that we are vital in the collaboration process. We all can be creative no matter who we are in an organization, and when you foster an environment with no fear and give employees the permission to fail – your people grow.

The Hornall Anderson Experience Lab (HAX) is brilliant. It is a space created for the fostering of creative ideas with multiple technologies and the space to test them. Yes, not every company can have one of these, but we can take the concept and foster creativity by listening to the main ideas Jack commented on in his talk:

• Anyone can be creative. The next best idea for your company can come from the receptionist. Hornall Anderson’s receptionist came up with the idea of a culture wall, a wall of photos of all the employees showing different expressions. Maybe someone has an idea for ping-pong tournaments or company retreats, etc. Letting people be able to express their ideas in an open environment with no fear keeps the moral positive.

• Don’t love your ideas to death. As creative beings, we sometimes try too hard to keep an idea and love it so much it fails. Push for quick no’s and prototyping. Let ideas come and let them go – understanding that not all of your loved ideas are going to be the ones that make it.

• Create your own story. You make your own success. Don’t let others write it for you. If there is something you want to do, go for it. Pave your own way, but understand that it will not always be easy.

• Give the permission to fail. Make mistakes and make them on purpose, giving yourself or the staff the ability to think quickly and effectively. Giving people the permission to fail allows a weight of fear to be lifted and helps open the doors to more creative collaboration and a better flow of ideas. It allows people to take risks they may have been scared to take before.

• Open environments. Get people off their butts and into meetings and out in the open. Take field trips, build space to allow for creative collaboration, and allocate a budget for ideas.

• Even ground. Even though Jack is the CEO of Hornall and Anderson, when in a room his voice does not carry anymore weight than any other person in the department. Allow for good ideas and creativity to come from anywhere.

• Recommended Reading: Good to Great By Jim Collins. This book changes how we think about success, talking about a Hedgehog concept and helps the reader learn how a good company can become a great company.

Thank you to ADG and Jack Anderson for an inspiring and motivational event, where we have grown our knowledge in understanding of creativity, branding, and appreciation for those that inspire us to do more. Here’s to all of our ongoing education that feeds our sense of curiosity.

Welcome to a year of exciting new changes!

Posted on by AIGA Baltimore

As we mentioned recently, the board for AIGA Baltimore has undergone some changes, and we’d like to take the opportunity to introduce ourselves.

photo of Alissa JonesAlissa Jones, President
I grew up loving the feel of paper and the smell of ink. Instead of sending me to summer camp, my mother would buy me art supplies; so graphic design was a natural fit. I’ve worked in educational design, broadcast design, branding and even spent some time as an English teacher in Japan. I’m a freelance graphic designer and adjunct instructor for Stevenson University and Anne Arundel Community College. This is my sixth year living in Baltimore and third year serving on the AIGA Baltimore board.

photo of Brian GhiloniBrian Ghiloni, Vice President
Although I’m originally from New Hampshire, I’ve called Baltimore home for the past 15 years. I’m Senior Designer and Partner at Locust Grove Studios, a design firm specializing in special event and exhibit design. Together with my partner Joe Karlik, we’ve worked with a diverse client base ranging from some of the most prominent companies in the world, to governmental and non-profit organizations. Throughout the year, I split my time between Baltimore and Maryland’s upper eastern shore where our studio is situated in a restored, 1860s one-room schoolhouse. This will be my fourth year serving on the board for AIGA Baltimore.

What to expect next
In the interest of maintaining an open dialogue with our members, we have revised our method of electing board members. In the upcoming months, please look out for a request from the AIGA Baltimore chapter for our members to review and approve our proposed new board.

We are looking forward to this new exciting year. Please contact us to share your ideas of how the AIGA Baltimore chapter can continue to serve your needs to grow your career in the world of design.

Best regards,
Alissa Jones and Brian Ghiloni

Changes for AIGA Baltimore

Posted on by AIGA Baltimore

There is a philosophy that an organization can only be as strong as its leader. Thankfully for the past three years, AIGA Baltimore has been fortunate to have a president who was dedicated to the best interests of our organization. Regrettably though, Chapter President, Christopher Jones, decided to step down at the end of August. During his tenure, he developed a dedicated team of board members, helped grow the membership of our chapter in a challenging economy and push forward multiple initiatives like the e-newsletter, blog and the printed newsletter, as well as coordinate a phenomenal speaker series including Jim Sherraden, House Industries, Design Army, Debbie Millman, and Steven Heller just to name a few.

Additionally, we’d like to thank four other board members whose terms have ended in the recent months: Beth Lacey Gill, Lindsay Story, Heather Joines and Elisa Watson. These individuals have donated countless hours to the chapter that can never be repaid. Please join us in thanking them for everything they have done.

It’s been said, “Change is the only constant in life.” As designers, our contribution has traditionally been the development of identities, collateral and websites. Designers are no longer content to be limited to these roles. To continue AIGA Baltimore’s legacy of service to our design community, the board is committed to furthering discussions about the role of design and the potentially larger impact it can have. With this new initiative, we hope to engage in important social issues in a deeper way than ever before. Please welcome our new Chapter President, Alissa Jones (no relation), and new Vice President, Brian Ghiloni who are excited to facilitate this larger conversation.

Moreover, AIGA Baltimore has several great changes planned for this fall and beyond:

  • Blends: Our monthly happy hours will now be the first week of every month and include informational sessions on specific topics of interest for designers.
  • Critique Hash: You loved it when we ran it last spring, so we are bringing it back on a regular basis. The third Saturday of every other month, starting this October, will be your chance to receive feedback on in-progress work and your portfolio from fellow designers.
  • Converse: We know how important it is to hear from leaders on design, so starting in November, the third Thursday of every other month, you can hear a variety of opinions on current hot topics at our roundtable sessions.
  • Pulp, Ink, and Hops: AIGA Baltimore has made the difficult decision that it is time to retire this event, and instead, we are going to focus on supporting AIGA’s new initiative for Design for Good. You can learn more about this initiative from the Executive Director of AIGA, Ric Grefé’s interview with Fast Company.
  • Communications: AIGA Baltimore is going to continue to improve our communications with members and other organizations throughout our region. Through building relationships, we plan to bring a greater variety of events and programs and help increase the value of design within the community.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or an interest in volunteering, please contact us! We always love hearing from our members. Lastly, don’t forget to check out our upcoming events.

AIGA Student Membership Sale

Posted on by AIGA Baltimore

Student Membership Sale

AIGA is committed to increasing student involvement in the design community. For the month of September 2011, students may join or renew online for just $50! And to make membership even more accessible, part-time students registered for just six or more credit hours are now eligible for membership in AIGA, the professional association for design. To take advantage of this offer, simply join or renew online between September 1–30, 2011. Spread the word and don’t miss out!

JOIN NOW for access and incredible discounts!

Current student members whose memberships are up for renewal August 31 through December 31 are eligible for this discount if they renew before September 30.

Alabama Design Summit

Posted on by AIGA Baltimore

At the end of July, Brian Ghiloni had the pleasure to attend the AIGA Alabama Design Summit in Birmingham. The workshop-style conference brought together more than 50 attendees from across the country and across multiple disciplines. Their challenge was to use design thinking to address social issues affecting rural Alabama and other parts of the country.

Over three days, four multi-disciplinary teams tackled a variety of regional issues from overcoming Nature Deficit Disorder to Eco-Tourism as a source of economic regeneration. Working together, each team needed to understand the problem, define an objective and develop solutions. The conference concluded with team presentations of actionable ideas, which could be implemented in 12–24 months.

As designers, our contribution has been traditionally limited to identities, collateral and websites. The AIGA Alabama Design Summit is an early preview of a new AIGA initiative called Design for Good. With this new initiative, designers have an opportunity to engage in these types of important social issues in a deeper way than ever before.

This last March, AIGA Baltimore organized Ideas for Action. The event brought together area creatives, community leaders and the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health to address social issues affecting Baltimore. AIGA Baltimore is committed to furthering discussions about the role of design and the potentially larger impact it can have on communities.

If you want to become more involved in the community or you have an idea for a Design for Good project, send us an email. We want to hear from you!

———————————-

The Alabama Design Summit was produced in partnership with AIGA and Alabama Innovation Engine. Local participants included representatives from Freshwater Land Trust, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, US Fish and Wildlife, Cahaba River Society, Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center, Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, International Expeditions, Auburn University Urban Studio, and University of Alabama Center for Economic Development.

Alabama Design Summit, people working together
Marshall Anderson and Jessi Arrington explain solutions to combat Nature Deficit Disorder. These ideas could be implemented within 12-24 months. Implementing any one could have a measurable effect to offset healthcare costs related to obesity.Today 1 out of 3 adults in Alabama is considered obese.
Alabama Design Summit, lots of sticky notes!
Idea prototyping's best friend… the sticky note!

Presenting: The Standard 4, Scoring & Folding FOLDED INSPIRATION

Posted on by AIGA Baltimore


AIGA Baltimore, Sappi Fine Paper and Lindenmeyr Munroe invite you to the debut of

The Standard 4, Scoring & Folding FOLDED INSPIRATION
A Members’ Only Event Presented by Trish Witkowski & Daniel Dejan

The Standard 4: Scoring & Folding

When: Thursday, July 14, 2011
Where: Matthew’s 1600 Restaurant
1600 Frederick Road, Catonsville, MD

Time: 5:00 – 6:00pm Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres
6:00 – 7:30pm Speakers/Presentation
7:30 – 8:00pm Questions & Answers

Members, in Advance – $10

2011 Leadership Conference – Minneapolis – Feeling “Activated” !

Posted on by AIGA Baltimore

Downtown Minneapolis

Three board members from AIGA Baltimore attended this year’s
leadership retreat – ACTIVATE – an interactive, inspiring, 3-day
gathering of leaders in chapters across the US. Jennifer Dodson, Bob
Gillespie and I (Elizabeth Brady) trekked to Minneapolis for an
incredible few days where we gathered momentum for the upcoming year
in Baltimore and got to see great design, touch the Mississippi, and explore
the Walker Art Center… to name a few things.

The conference began (at the visually inspiring, Graves [601] hotel)
with a display of all of the fantastic design samples and products
from chapters across the country. Each chapter brought a series of
trading cards to share and exchange at events throughout the
conference, offering a great opportunity to hear what makes other
chapters “tick”. The creativity was astounding.

See some examples here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25988873@N02/sets/72157626911717642/

Retreat Attendees Spell It Out For YouAfter an inspiring kickoff about the state of the association by AIGA
executive director Ric Grefé, we divided and conquered different “Spark” sessions and shared back. At our various sessions, we learned more about the power of design to create change, rock-star board structures that work for members, the value of membership to our design community, all the while gaining inspiration for design competitions, and new partnerships and opportunities. My eyes were opened to the vast impact our chapter has and the resources we can offer, as well as, design’s capacity to benefit business and society.

One theme that kept resurfacing? Create solid events with community input! We as a team from Baltimore spent a lot of time discussing different ways to find out what our members (you!) and local designers /agencies want from us, and returned to Baltimore with a
renewed desire to hear from you.

Here are a few links to national or local initiatives that inspired me!

AIGA austin design ranch 2011
http://vimeo.com/25680717

http://clockwork.aigablueridge.org/

http://onedayfordesign.org/

http://www.cause-affect.org/

I, personally, was particularly inspired by our incoming national AIGA president,
Doug Powell and his focus on Design for Good, an initiative to motivate design professionals and AIGA members towards impact, advocacy and cause. I came back with a renewed knowledge of the power and impact of design on society, and a lot of inspiration for social initiatives in Baltimore.

Keep an eye out for other new initiatives and events this year and be
in touch with what activates you, as a student, designer or creative
professional. Or email me at elizabeth@baltimore.aiga.org if you have ideas
to share or want to be more involved in social or green initiatives!